Help installing windows 7

Hi guys. I have a hp mini 2133 and I had windows vista installed on it infill the harddrive failed. So I have instLled a new harddrive succesfully as it is in the boot options. My only problem now is I can't install windows 7 on the laptop. I have an external cd drive and I have changed the boot options but I just can't get it to work. My options are,
boot device menu
rom based setup
system recovery
NetBoot
when I choose boot device menu I click boot from USB MAT****A CDROM but then it says please insert bootable media but now when I do it I just get a black screen with a flashin cursor. Any ideas

It says 'reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key!!!


Thans alot

Windows 7 is on a dvd not a cd.

Ohhhh no! I'm so stupid! Will that defiantly be the reason then and will it work if I buy an external DVD drive? Thanks

Yes a dvd needs a compatible drive to operate.
If you have access to another computer it is also possible to put the files onto a portable memory card/stick and boot from usb, this would save you having to buy a new drive. There is a guide here :How To Install Windows 7 from a USB Flash Drive - Install Windows 7 from a USB Key - Legit Reviews

Thanks. I was Reading the article and it said about what I need to download if I had preiously used xp or vista. However, this
is a brand new harddrive with no operating system! Does this mean that I can't use the USB to install windows. Thanks again but
I'm a beginner! :)

You can boot from USB flash stick to install Win7 whether you have an OS or not. Just select Custom install, use Drive Options to create any partitions you want, format and install.

I have had good luck getting my Kingston USB stick to boot by formatting it primary in Disk Management, then copying over the files from the DVD just as they appear there. I boot it by tapping the key given for Boot Menu on first bootup screen, looking for the USB flash stick under Hard Drives.

If that fails, then here is another popular method: USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create